On the eve of his 70th birthday, James C. Horton, a resident of Kansas City since 1878, and actively identified with its commercial, civic, social and religious upbuilding, died last night shortly after 10 o'clock at the South Side hospital. His death was the result of an operation performed Saturday for a stomach derangement. But very few of the thousands of friends of the deceased knew of his illness and the announcement of his death came as a shock and a surprise.
At Mr. Horton's bedside were a niece, Mrs. William R. Jacques, and her husband, who live at 1432 West Prospect, the Horton homestead; Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Faxon of 2615 Troost avenue, and others.
Until fifteen minutes before Mr. Horton's death, he was conscious. The last words he spoke were: "I'm very tired."
He spoke this with an effort, seeming suddenly to grow weaker. Immediately he fell into a stupor from which he never aroused.
No man was better or more favorably known, and no one man was more highly esteemed, beloved, trusted and appreciated than was James C. Horton. In business pursuites he was teh acme of honesty; in private life a man of the highest type of morality and noble and edifying things and thought. In church affairs he was active and sincere, and as senior warden for years of Grace Episcopal Church he contributed largely to its support and prosperity; in politics he was an unflinching Republican, and while standing for its principals he never permitted himself to be led about by venal politicians or to waver from what he considered to be right and to be to the best interests of the people; he was a fast and consistent friend, lovable in disposition and character; liberal and unselfish, he devoted the better part of his life and savings to lighten the burden of the poor, unfortunate and oppressed, and thousands there are who can lend testimony to his goodness of heart and liberality of purse.
James C. Horton died a widower, his wife having passed away in 1901, and her body laid tenderly away in the cemetery at Lawrence, Kas. Although born in the East at Ballston Spa, New York state, Mr. Horton might be properly referred to as a Western man, born and bred, for he had been a resident of the West since 1857, and was a prominent and active figure in its growth and development. Int that year he located in Lawrence, Kas., as the agent of an express company. Young, vigorous and ambitious, he took a prominent part in many of the affairs of Kansas that have now become history. He filled county offices of trust with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituency, and was a state senator for one or two terms.
While a resident of Lawrence he married Mrs. Robinson, a widow, and in 1878, Mr. Horton came to Kansas City and became associated with the drug firm of Woodwward, Faxon & Co. In 1897 the firm name was changed to Faxon, Horton & Gallagher. February 3, 1906, Mr. Horton retired from business pursuits to pass his declining years in rest, free from mercantile burdens. He lived with his neice, Mrs. Jacques, wife of W. R. Jacques, at the Horton homestead, 1432 West Prospect, from where the funeral will be conducted.
No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Horton. The body will be temporarily held at Stine's undertaking rooms awaiting funeral arrangements.
During his residence in Kansas City Mr. Horton was always active in Republican politics, and his last notable fight was the one he put up in advocacy of the nomination of J. J. Davenport for mayor at the last municipal election. Mr. Horton was the unrelenting foe of ballot box stuffers and crooks, and in 1894 when a number of Kansas City men were prosecuting ballot box stuffers and he was short on funds he contributed out of his own pocket $786.50. Later his admiring friends got up a popular subscription, and insisted upon him being reimbursed against his own expressed wishes that it not be done. Although continually solicited by party leaders here to accept political office, he steadfastly declined, and a year ago when an attempt was made to elect him to a seat in the upper house of the council his remonstrance was so pronounced and determined that his name was withdrawn.
